FOOD INTOLERANCE & BACTERIAL GROWTH

The HBT Sleuth hydrogen breath test machine is an instrument used to diagnose impaired digestion of certain sugars, including lactose and fructose. Your physician may order intolerance breath testing if you suffer from unexplained abdominal bloating, nausea, excess flatulence, or diarrhea and/or if you display sensitivity to certain food products. The same machine is also used to test for a condition called small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Please read below to learn more about these tests and the diseases they diagnose.

LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

Lactose intolerance is due to the inability or insufficient ability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of the lactase enzyme. This enzyme is necessary to break lactose into simpler forms that can be absorbed. Undigested lactose can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, nausea, abdominal discomfort, flatulence and diarrhea. Undigested lactose causes abnormally high levels of hydrogen in people's breath. To test for lactose intolerance, we will measure the amount of hydrogen in your breath after you consume a lactose-loaded beverage.

FRUCTOSE INTOLERANCE

Fructose intolerance is due to the inability to absorb fructose, a sugar found in certain fruits and other food products. Fructose intolerance in caused by a deficiency of fructose carriers or transporters in the small intestine. When this deficiency is present, fructose cannot be absorbed into your blood and is present in high levels in the intestine. This causes symptoms of bloating, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea and flatulence. Unabsorbed fructose causes abnormally high levels of hydrogen in people's breath. To test for fructose intolerance, we will measure the amount of hydrogen in your breath after you consume a fructose-loaded beverage.